Employers urged to make retirement saving easier for Gen Z

Employers should treat financial security as a core workplace benefit for Gen Z workers, according to Edward Jones financial adviser Julia Bartak. In a Fortune commentary, Bartak argued that younger employees are showing interest in money management but still face barriers to saving and investing.

Bartak described Gen Z as both financially anxious and unusually active about personal finance, citing outside reports on budgeting habits, “admin nights” and workplace retirement accounts becoming a social signal. She said the cohort has dealt with market swings, the pandemic and higher living costs early in adulthood, leaving many young workers uncertain about whether long-term financial stability is within reach.

Workplace plans seen as a key entry point

Research from Edward Jones and Morning Consult found that nearly one-third of Americans first invest through an employer, Bartak wrote. The same research found that nearly four in five Gen Z workers do not contribute to a workplace retirement plan, a gap she framed as both a risk and an opening for employers.

Bartak said retirement plans are often the first practical step into investing for younger workers. She argued that employers can reduce friction by making enrollment easier, automating savings and allowing contribution increases as pay rises.

Edward Jones and Morning Consult found that 66% of Gen Z respondents said they would be more likely to join a workplace retirement plan if signing up were easier, according to Bartak. She said those defaults could matter for a generation balancing current costs with long-term goals.

Financial pressure is slowing savings

Bartak also cited research from Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America showing that about six in 10 Gen Z respondents had pulled back on retirement saving over the past year because of present-day financial strain. She said that pattern should be read as a warning sign rather than proof that young workers are uninterested in retirement planning.

Financial education, Bartak wrote, can help employees understand saving, investing and retirement decisions. She pointed to financial wellness tools such as Addition Wealth, a financial engagement and education platform used among Edward Jones practice teams and backed by Edward Jones Ventures, the firm’s venture capital arm.

Bartak also cited a 2025 Deloitte survey in arguing that stronger retirement benefits, employer matches and financial education can support employee confidence, engagement and retention. She said employers may benefit from improving retirement offerings because tax advantages can apply to both companies and workers.

Advice remains out of reach for many

Although Bartak said Gen Z is more open to talking about money and seeking financial information than prior generations, she cited an Edward Jones and Gallup study finding that only 14% seek help from a professional financial adviser. She said workplace financial wellness programs could help narrow that gap.

Bartak wrote that advisers can help younger workers with early saving and investing decisions, while also helping employers compare retirement plans and weigh trade-offs. Fortune noted that Bartak is a financial adviser at Edward Jones and that her commentary cites proprietary research from the firm.

This story draws on original reporting from Fortune.